Autoclavable keypad with haptic feedback for video endoscopes

ABSTRACT

A keypad includes a support, a snap disk on a first side of the support transformable from a released state to a loaded state, a cover forming a seal over the first side, a pocket in the cover, a magnet and a plunger disposed in the pocket, the plunger adapted to engage and transform the snap disk to the loaded state, a magnetic field sensor on a second side of the support, the second side opposite the first side and logic circuitry adapted to obtain a value of a strength of a magnetic field from the sensor, compare the value against a predetermined threshold value that corresponds at least approximately to the strength of a magnetic field, and when the plunger has transformed the snap disk to the loaded state and the value reaches or exceeds the threshold value, output a signal indicating that a key press occurred.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/187,426, filed on Feb. 26, 2021, and entitled “Autoclavable TactileKeypad for Video Endoscopes,” which in turn claims priority to GermanPatent Application No. 10 2020 105 238.3, filed Feb. 27, 2020, andentitled “Tastatur für ein Endoskop and Endoskop mit Tastatur.” Thecontent of both these applications are incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a keypad for an endoscope comprising alogic circuitry and plurality of keys arranged under an elasticwatertight cover and an endoscope with such a keypad.

BACKGROUND

Keypads in the medical environment are faced with a number of challengesthat are unknown to conventional keypads, for example allowing for arigorous cleaning and avoiding room for the settling of contaminations.Also, especially for endoscopes, the pressing of a key on the keypad maynot always have an immediately visible effect, so that it must beensured that when, from the perception of the user, a key is pressed thecorresponding instrument responds in a corresponding manner.

Therefore, it is an object to provide an improved keypad that can beused for an endoscope in a medical environment, especially a sterileenvironment, that is highly reliable in its functionality and inresponding to the control exerted by the user. Also, it is desired thatthe manufacturing of the keypad can still be achieved in an effectivemanner. A further object is to provide a corresponding endoscope.

SUMMARY

A keypad for an endoscope includes logic circuitry, an elasticwatertight cover including an undercut pocket, a support; and aplurality of keys arranged under the elastic watertight cover. Each keyincludes an actuator section arranged over the support and a sensorsection arranged below the support. The actuator section includes amagnet held in the undercut pocket in the cover, wherein the magnet isheld over a snap disk. The sensor section includes a sensor adapted todetect a strength of a magnetic field of the magnet at the sensor. Theactuator section is adapted to, when the key is pressed by a user, pressagainst the snap disk and transform the snap disk from a released stateinto a loaded state. The actuator section is further adapted to, whenthe key is released by the user, move away from the snap disk to allowthe snap disk to return from the loaded state back to the releasedstate. The logic circuitry is adapted to obtain a value of the strengthof the magnetic field from the sensor, compare the value against apredetermined threshold value that corresponds at least approximately tothe strength of a magnetic field when the actuator section hastransformed the snap disk, and output a signal indicating that the keyis pressed when the value reaches or exceeds the threshold value.

In other features, the cover includes rests that are arranged on thesupport and the pocket is held between the rests elevated over the snapdisk by at least one stand.

In other features, the actuator section includes a plunger adapted topress onto the snap disk. The plunger has a cross-section with aT-shape, and a vertical bar of the T-shape is adapted to press onto thesnap disk. In still other features, the plunger is arranged below themagnet. In yet other features, the magnet comprises a hollow shaft inwhich a section of the plunger is arranged. In other features, theplunger is held in the pocket. In still other features, the plunger isadapted to press at least substantially onto a center of the snap disk.In yet other features, the plunger is glued to a bottom side of themagnet that faces the snap disk.

In other features, the cover is autoclavable, the sensor is aHall-sensor, the support is adapted to fully separate the actuatorsection from the sensor section, the cover is made of a single piece ofsilicone, and the snap disk is attached to the support via an adhesivetape that is adhesive on both sides.

One feature of this keypad is that the snap disk gives a good hapticfeedback when the user presses a key on the keypad. Further, sensing themagnet's magnetic field allows to separate the actuator section from thesensor section. Also, holding the magnet in the pocket that is formed asan undercut in the cover, allows to hold the magnet in place without theneed for adhesives, thus simplifying the manufacturing process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a keypad in a cross-sectional view;

FIG. 2 a second embodiment of a keypad in a cross-sectional view;

FIG. 3 a third embodiment of a keypad in a cross-sectional view; and

FIG. 4 a fourth embodiment of a keypad in a cross-sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a keypad 10 for an endoscope in across-sectional view. The keypad 10 comprising a logic circuitry 12 andplurality of keys 14 arranged under an elastic watertight cover 16. Asused herein, endoscope includes video endoscopes and optical endoscopeswith attached camera heads. The endoscopes may be flexible or rigidshaft endoscopes and used for a variety of medical purposes.

Each key 14 comprises an actuator section 18 arranged over a support 20and a sensor section 22 arranged below the support 20. The actuatorsection 18 comprises a magnet 24 held in an undercut pocket 26 in thecover 16. The magnet 24 is held over a snap disk 28.

The sensor section 22 comprises a sensor 30 adapted to detect a strengthof a magnetic field of the magnet 24 at the sensor 30. The actuatorsection 18 is adapted to, when the key 14 is pressed by a user, here ina downward direction, to press against the snap disk 28 and transformthe snap disk 28 from a released state into a loaded state. Further, theactuator section 18 is adapted to, when the key 14 is released by theuser, here in an upward direction, move away from the snap disk 28 toallow the snap disk 28 to return from the loaded state back to thereleased state.

The logic circuitry 12 is adapted to obtain a value of the strength ofthe magnetic field from the sensor 30, to compare the value against apredetermined threshold value. This predetermined threshold valuecorresponds at least approximately to the strength of a magnetic fieldwhen the actuator section 18 has transformed the snap disk 28. The logiccircuitry 12 is further adapted to output a signal indicating that thekey 14 is pressed, when the value reaches or exceeds the thresholdvalue.

The cover 16 comprises rests 32 that are arranged on the support 20 andthe pocket 26 is held between the rests 32 elevated over the snap disk28 by at least one stand 34. In some embodiments the at least one stand34 has the shape of a frustum.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a keypad 10 for an endoscope in across-sectional view. All previously introduced reference numerals aremaintained. The previously given explanations concerning the structureof the keypad 10 apply to this embodiment as well. The logic circuitry12 is present as well but is not shown here.

Different from the first embodiment, the actuator section 18 comprises aplunger 36 adapted to press onto the snap disk 28. The plunger 36 may beglued to a bottom side of the magnet 24. The plunger 36 achieves awell-defined contact with the snap disk 28 which allows to achieve awell-defined click when the snap disk 28 is transformed from thereleased state into the bent state and also when released back into thereleased state.

As shown, the plunger 36 has a cross-section with a T-shape, and whereina vertical bar 38 of the T-shape is adapted to punctually press onto thesnap disk. More specifically, the plunger 36 is adapted to press atleast substantially onto a center of the snap disk 28. The plunger 36may be symmetrical around the vertical bar 38, in particular like atack.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a keyboard 10 for an endoscope in across-sectional view. All previously introduced reference numerals aremaintained. The previously given explanations concerning the structureof the keyboard 10 apply to this embodiment as well. The logic circuitry12 is present as well but is not shown here.

Different from the second embodiment, the magnet 24 comprises a hollowshaft 40, indicated with the dashed line, in which a section of theplunger 36 is arranged. A horizontal bar 42 of the T-shape rests on themagnet 24. This gives a good contact between the user's finger and theplunger 36, so that a good haptic feedback is provided to the user,especially when transforming the snap disk 28, i.e. clicking the snapdisk 28.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a keyboard 10 for an endoscope in across-sectional view. All previously introduced reference numerals aremaintained. The previously given explanations concerning the structureof the keyboard 10 apply to this embodiment as well. The logic circuitry12 is present as well but is not shown here.

Different from the second embodiment, the plunger 36 is arranged belowthe magnet 24 and held in the pocket 26. There is no need to attach theplunger 36 to the magnet 24 as the plunger 36 is held in the pocket 26with the magnet 24. Also, in comparison to the third embodiment, thestructure of the magnet 24 may be kept simpler as no hollow shaft 40 isrequired.

Reference made throughout the specification to endoscopes include videoendoscopes in which image sensors are placed at a distal end of theendoscope and controls such as the keypad are disposed at the proximalend. However, endoscopes may also include optical endoscopes with cameraheads coupled at the proximal end. Both video endoscopes and camerahead-style optical endoscopes commonly employ keypads for control. Thus,the principles of the present disclosure may be applied to both.

Example embodiments of the methods and systems of the present inventionhave been described herein. As noted elsewhere, these exampleembodiments have been described for illustrative purposes only and arenot limiting. Other embodiments are possible and are covered by theinvention. Such embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Thus, thebreadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by anyof the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined onlyin accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

While the invention has been described in connection with variousembodiments, it will be understood that the invention is capable offurther modifications. This application is intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general,the principles of the invention, and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as, within the known and customary practice withinthe art to which the invention pertains.

1. A keypad for an endoscope, comprising a logic circuitry; an elasticwatertight cover including an undercut pocket; a support; and aplurality of keys arranged under the elastic watertight cover, each keycomprising an actuator section arranged over the support and a sensorsection arranged below the support, the actuator section comprising amagnet held in the undercut pocket in the cover, wherein the magnet isheld vertically above and horizontally aligned with at least a portionof a snap disk, and the sensor section comprising a sensor adapted todetect a strength of a magnetic field of the magnet at the sensor,wherein the actuator section is adapted, when the key is pressed by auser, to press against the snap disk and transform the snap disk from areleased state into a loaded state, and when the key is released by theuser, to move away from the snap disk to allow the snap disk to returnfrom the loaded state back to the released state, wherein the logiccircuitry is adapted to obtain a value of the strength of the magneticfield from the sensor, compare the value against a predeterminedthreshold value that corresponds at least approximately to the strengthof a magnetic field when the actuator section has transformed the snapdisk, and output a signal indicating that the key is pressed when thevalue reaches or exceeds the threshold value.
 2. The keypad of claim 1,wherein the cover comprises rests that are arranged on the support andthe pocket is held between the rests elevated over the snap disk by atleast one stand.
 3. The keypad of claim 1, wherein the actuator sectioncomprises a plunger adapted to press onto the snap disk.
 4. The keypadof claim 3, wherein the plunger comprises the undercut pocket in thecover.
 5. The keypad of claim 3, wherein the plunger comprises themagnet.
 6. The keypad of claim 3, wherein the plunger is arranged belowthe magnet.
 7. The keypad of claim 3, wherein the plunger has across-section with a T-shape, and wherein a vertical bar of the T-shapeis adapted to press onto the snap disk.
 8. The keypad of claim 3,wherein the magnet comprises a hollow shaft in which a section of theplunger is arranged.
 9. The keypad of claim 3, wherein the plunger isheld in the pocket.
 10. The keypad of claim 3, wherein the plunger isadapted to press at least substantially onto a center of the snap disk.11. The keypad of claim 1, wherein the cover is autoclavable.
 12. Thekeypad of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a Hall-sensor.
 13. The keypadof claim 1, wherein the support is adapted to fully separate theactuator section from the sensor section.
 14. The keypad of claim 1,wherein the cover is made of a single piece of silicone.
 15. A keypadincluding one or more keys for an endoscopic instrument, comprising: asupport; a snap disk on a first side of the support and transformablefrom a released state to a loaded state; a cover forming a seal over thefirst side to prevent fluids entering; an undercut pocket in the cover;a magnet disposed in the pocket; a plunger disposed in the pocket,wherein the plunger is adapted to engage the snap disk to transform thesnap disk to the loaded state, where at least one portion each of themagnet, the plunger, and the snap disk, are in vertical alignment; amagnetic field sensor on a second side of the support, the second sideopposite the first side; and logic circuitry adapted to obtain a valueof a strength of a magnetic field from the sensor, compare the valueagainst a predetermined threshold value that corresponds at leastapproximately to the strength of a magnetic field, and when the plungerhas transformed the snap disk to the loaded state and the value reachesor exceeds the threshold value, output a signal indicating that a keypress occurred.
 16. The keypad of claim 15, wherein the cover comprisesrests that are arranged on the support and the pocket is held betweenthe rests elevated over the snap disk by at least one stand.
 17. Thekeypad of claim 15, wherein the plunger has a cross-section with aT-shape, and wherein a vertical bar of the T-shape is adapted to pressonto the snap disk.
 18. The keypad of claim 15, wherein the plunger isarranged below the magnet.
 19. The keypad of claim 15, wherein themagnet comprises a hollow shaft in which a section of the plunger isarranged.
 20. The keypad of claim 15, wherein the plunger is held in thepocket.